U.S. patent application number 13/615995 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-03 for efficient operations of components in a wireless communications device.
Invention is credited to Jose Guterman, Chris Hills, Danfeng Hong.
Application Number | 20130007775 13/615995 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36685275 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130007775 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hong; Danfeng ; et
al. |
January 3, 2013 |
EFFICIENT OPERATIONS OF COMPONENTS IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
DEVICE
Abstract
Various embodiments comprise apparatuses and methods including a
communications subsystem having an interface module and a protocol
module with the communications subsystem being configured to be
coupled to an antenna. An applications subsystem includes a
software applications module and an abstraction module. The
software applications module is to execute an operating system and
user applications; the abstraction module is to provide an
interface with the software applications module. A controller
interface module is coupled to the abstraction module and the
interface module and is to convert signals from the applications
subsystem into signals that are executable by the communications
subsystem. Additional apparatuses and methods are described.
Inventors: |
Hong; Danfeng; (Calgary,
CA) ; Guterman; Jose; (Calgary, CA) ; Hills;
Chris; (Calgary, CA) |
Family ID: |
36685275 |
Appl. No.: |
13/615995 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11024956 |
Dec 29, 2004 |
8307377 |
|
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13615995 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
719/328 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 88/02 20130101;
H04W 88/00 20130101; G06F 9/541 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
719/328 |
International
Class: |
G06F 9/46 20060101
G06F009/46 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a communications subsystem including an
interface module and a protocol module, the communications
subsystem configured to be coupled to an antenna; an applications
subsystem including a software applications module and an
abstraction module, the software applications module to execute an
operating system and user applications, the abstraction module to
provide an interface with the software applications module; and a
controller interface module coupled to the abstraction module and
the interface module, the controller interface module being
configured to convert signals from the applications subsystem into
signals that are executable by the communications subsystem.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications subsystem and
the applications subsystem interact with each other only through
the controller interface module.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller interface module
comprises an application programming interface.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller interface module
includes a service group accessible to the applications subsystem,
the controller interface module being further configured to manage
transferring of packet-switched data or circuit-switched data
between the applications subsystem and the communications
subsystem.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the abstraction module is to
convert a network resource requirement of the software applications
module into instructions executable by the controller interface
module to carry out a network service request.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the controller interface module
is to translate the instructions received from the abstraction
module into a form executable by the interface module.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller interface module
is to concurrently receive a plurality of service requests from the
abstraction module and to concurrently send a plurality of
corresponding service confirmations to the abstraction module.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller interface module
is to translate the plurality of service requests into a form
executable by the interface module.
9. A wireless client device, comprising: an applications subsystem
including a software applications module to execute an operating
system application and user applications on the wireless client
device, and an abstraction module to provide a programming
interface with the software applications module; a communications
subsystem, the communications subsystem including an antenna, a
protocol software module electrically coupled to the antenna, and
an interface module to send signals to and receive signals from the
protocol software module; and a controller interface module coupled
to the applications subsystem and the communications subsystem to
provide a common translation interface to allow interactions
therebetween.
10. The wireless client device of claim 9, wherein the controller
interface module is to convert signals from the applications
subsystem into signals executable by the communications
subsystem.
11. The wireless client device of claim 9, wherein the controller
interface module has a service group to process data moving between
the applications subsystem and the communications subsystem, the
applications subsystem and the communications subsystem each being
configured to transmit signals executable by the controller
interface module.
12. The wireless client device of claim 9, wherein the protocol
software module is to receive a signal corresponding to an
unsolicited communications network event through the antenna.
13. The wireless client device of claim 12, wherein the interface
module is to format the signal corresponding to the unsolicited
communications network event received by the protocol software
module into a service indication.
14. The wireless client device of claim 13, wherein the controller
interface module is further configured to translate the service
indication received from the interface module into a form
executable by the abstraction module.
15. The wireless client device of claim 9, wherein the interface
module is configured to send a command to the protocol software
module in response to executing a translated network service
request received from the controller interface module.
16. The wireless client device of claim 15, wherein the protocol
software module is configured to utilize a communications protocol
to transmit the translated network service request to a
communication network accessible to the wireless client device
through the antenna in response to the command received from the
interface module.
17. A wireless client device, comprising: an applications subsystem
including an applications module to execute an operating system
application and user applications on the wireless client device,
and a radio abstraction module to abstract protocol operations
received from the applications module; and a communications
subsystem including an abstraction module to translate program
instructions between the applications subsystem and the
communications subsystem, an antenna, and a protocol software
module electrically coupled to send signals to and receive signals
from the antenna and the abstraction module.
18. The wireless client device of claim 17, wherein the
applications subsystem further includes a multi-media
interface.
19. The wireless client device of claim 17, wherein the abstraction
module comprises a cellular controller interface.
20. The wireless client device of claim 17, further comprising a
protocol software interface module coupled to the abstraction
module and the protocol software module.
21. The wireless client device of claim 20, wherein the abstraction
module is configured is to translate service requests and service
confirmations communicated between the radio abstraction module and
the protocol software interface module.
22. The wireless client device of claim 17, wherein the abstraction
module is to operate independently of an application development
environment and a wireless protocol stack implementation to provide
a translation of signals between the radio abstraction module and
the protocol software module.
Description
PRIORITY APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/024,956, filed Dec. 29, 2004, which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Various embodiments described herein relate to wireless
devices generally and more particularly to systems and methods for
improved communications between components in a wireless
communications device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] More and more, consumers are using wireless devices to
remain connected to the world around them. Cell phone users can
retrieve movie listings while traveling to the theater. Ubiquitous
connectivity without regard to physical location has become a
reality. One of the results of this new reality is that consumers
demand more functions from their cell phones than ever before.
Picture and video phones are two examples of the myriad
functionalities being built into today's cell phones. The rapid
pace of progress places a demand on the manufacturers to
continuously update software to enable diverse functions. Upgrades
affect many aspects of that device's software instructions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale,
like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout
the several views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes
represent different instances of substantially similar components.
The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by
way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present
document.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram of a network of
wireless client devices according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0006] FIG. 2A is a high level block diagram of a system, such as
that depicted in FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0007] FIG. 2B is a more specific block diagram of a system, such
as that depicted in FIG. 2A, according to embodiments of the
present invention;
[0008] FIG. 3A is a flowchart of a method that could be carried out
on a device, such as the device depicted in FIG. 2A, according to
embodiments of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 3B is a flowchart of a method that could be carried out
on a device, such as the device depicted in FIG. 2A, according to
embodiments of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 4A is a flowchart of a method that could be carried out
on a device, such as the device depicted in FIG. 2A, according to
embodiments of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 4B is a flowchart of a method that could be carried out
on a device, such as the device depicted in FIG. 2A, according to
embodiments of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 5A is a dataflow diagram showing one example of
dataflow in a device, such as the device depicted in FIG. 2B,
according to embodiments of the present invention; and
[0013] FIG. 5B is a dataflow diagram showing one example of
dataflow in a device, such as the device depicted in FIG. 2B,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] In the following detailed description of embodiments of the
invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which
form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration
specific preferred embodiments in which the subject matter may be
practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to
enable those skilled in the art to practice them, and it is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical,
mechanical, and electrical changes may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Such
embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to,
individually and/or collectively, herein by the term "invention"
merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit
the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive
concept if more than one is in fact disclosed. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by
the appended claims.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram of a network of
wireless client devices according to embodiments of the present
invention. In an embodiment, a base station 105 provides wireless
connectivity to a plurality of wireless client devices 110.
Connectivity includes transmitting wireless signals to and
receiving wireless signals from the plurality of wireless client
devices 110. Wireless data signals may include, without limitation:
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); General Packet Radio
Service (GPRS); Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA); Time Division
Multiple Access (TDMA); IEEE 802.11 standard signals, IEEE std.
802.11-1999, published 1999 and later versions (hereinafter IEEE
802.11 standard); IEEE 802.16 standard signals, IEEE std.
802.16-2001, published 2001 and later versions (hereinafter IEEE
802.16 standard); Wide Band CDMA (WCDMA); High Speed Downlink
Packet Access (HSDPA); or Ultra WideBand (UWB). Though specific
types of wireless signals are listed, for the embodiments herein it
is to be appreciated that any signal that passes between two
devices without a wire is considered to be a wireless signal.
[0016] In an embodiment, the base station 105 is any device that is
capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals from at
least one wireless client device 110 and providing a connection to
a suitable network 115. In an embodiment, the base station 105
comprises a radio-frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver and a
network interface. Though reference is made to RF, it is to be
appreciated that other types of wireless signals may be
communicated between the access point 105 and the wireless client
device 110, such as, infrared signals, microwave signals and the
like. The access point 105 may be connected to any suitable
network, such as the internet or a private network.
[0017] In a further embodiment, the base station 105 may
alternatively be called an access point. In another embodiment,
there may be more than one base station 105 providing a wireless
network to any number of wireless client devices 110, and that the
suitable network in such a case may be a connection with a further
base station 105, which is either connected to a suitable network
or further connected to other base stations 105.
[0018] In an embodiment, the wireless client device 110 provides a
user the ability to wirelessly connect to a suitable network, such
as the internet or a private network. The wireless client device
110 may include, without limitation, a cellular telephone, a
personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a desktop
computer, an internet appliance or any device capable of receiving
and/or transmitting wireless data signals to another device. Though
the transmission between the wireless client device 110 and the
base station 105 in FIG. 1 is depicted as being bi-directional, it
should be appreciated that the wireless client device 110 may
exclusively either just transmit signals to or receive signals from
the access point 105, such that the communications between them are
essentially uni-directional. In an embodiment, all wireless client
devices 110 use the same type of wireless signal to connect to the
access point 105. In another embodiment, the wireless client
devices 110 connect to the access point 105 using differing
wireless signal types. In a further embodiment, the wireless client
devices 110 use the most cost-effective wireless signal to connect
to the access point 105.
[0019] FIG. 2A is a high level block diagram of a system, such as
that depicted in FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the present
invention. In an embodiment, the system is a wireless client device
110, such as that described with respect to FIG. 1. The wireless
client device 110 comprises two main subsystems, an applications
subsystem 210 and a communications subsystem 212, operably coupled
through a controller interface module 214. The communication
subsystem 212 is further operably coupled to an antenna 216. Though
drawn as external to the wireless client device 110, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that such antenna 216 may be
integral to the wireless client device 110 in some embodiments.
[0020] In an embodiment, the applications subsystem 210 comprises a
software applications module 218 and an abstraction module 220. In
an embodiment, the software applications module 218 is capable of
running user applications and an operating system. The operating
system includes, without limitation, a full-featured operating
system (FFOS). User applications include, without limitation, a
multi-media interface (MMI). In an embodiment, the abstraction
module 220 provides a programming interface to the application
software module 218. In such an example, the abstraction module 220
is capable of converting program instructions received from the
application software module 218 into instructions executable by the
controller interface module 214. The abstraction module 220
receives network service requests from the software applications
module 218, converts the network service requests into data signals
configured to carry out the service request and transmits data
signals to the controller interface module 214. Though drawn as
separate functional block elements in FIG. 2A, it is understood
that the software applications module 218 and the abstraction
module 220 may be contained in a single module.
[0021] In an embodiment, the communications subsystem 212 comprises
an interface module 222 and a protocol software module 224. In one
embodiment, the protocol software module 224 is configured to
receive signals from the interface module 222 and transmit those
signals through the antenna 216 over a communications protocol to a
network through a base station 105, as contemplated by FIG. 1. In
an alternate embodiment, the protocol software module 224 is
configured to send signals to another wireless client device. The
interface module 222 is configured to receive signals from the
controller interface module 214 and execute those signals. Though
drawn as separate functional block elements in FIG. 2A, it is
understood that the interface module 222 and the protocol software
module 224 may be contained in a single module.
[0022] In an embodiment, the controller interface module 214 is
separately coupled to the applications subsystem 210 and the
communications subsystem 212. The controller interface module 214
is capable of receiving and sending signals to the application
subsystem 210 and receiving and sending signals to the
communications subsystem 212. In an embodiment, the controller
interface module 214 is configured to send and receive more than
one signal concurrently. In one embodiment, the signals received
from the applications subsystem 210 are converted into signals
executable by the communications subsystem 212. In another
embodiment, the signals received from the communications subsystem
212 are converted into signals executable by the applications
subsystem 210. In such an example the controller interface module
214 provides a common programming interface to the applications
subsystem 210 and the communications subsystem 212. Integration of
a separately manufactured applications subsystem 210 and a
communications subsystem 212 is made easier as the applications
subsystem 210 need only be configured to transmit signals
executable by the controller interface module 214 and need not be
configured to transmit signals executable by the communications
subsystem 212. This has the advantage of allowing a systems
manufacturer to quickly integrate disparate communications
subsystems 212 into a manufacturing process without the need to
reprogram the applications subsystem 210. Conversely, the use of a
an applications subsystem 210 with improved user functionality need
not require a reprogrammed communications subsystem 212, as the
communications subsystem 212 need only be configured to send
signals executable by the controller interface module 214.
[0023] In an embodiment, the controller interface module 214 is an
application programming interface (API), the operations of which
can be divided into four main functional groupings: requests,
confirmations, indications and responses. In an embodiment,
requests are used by the application subsystem 210 to request
services; confirmations are used by the communications subsystem
212 to provide results to previous requests; indications are used
by the communications subsystem 212 to report unsolicited events or
information to the application subsystem 210; and responses are
used by the application subsystem 212 to respond to earlier
indications. In an embodiment, for each of these functional
groupings, the controller interface module 214 defines a set of
functional primitives, wherein each of the primitives performs a
single function or service. Examples of such functions or services
include, without limitation, cellular network registration,
outgoing call initiation, delivery of an incoming Short Message
Service (SMS) messages, setting up a packet-switched data
connection, etc. In an embodiment, functional primitives are
divided into three categories: core primitives that are required in
every implementation of the controller interface module 214;
extended primitives that are optionally implemented; and custom
primitives that are specific to a particular controller interface
module 214.
[0024] In an embodiment, the controller interface module 214 has
one or more independent service groups accessible by one or more
individual service clients of the applications subsystem. Service
groups provide services including, without limitation, call
control, mobility management, Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
Interface, supplementary services, messaging, packet-switched
network services, circuit-switched/packet-switched data operations
(send/receive), phonebook access, device-related services, etc. In
one embodiment, more than one service client accesses a single
service group. In another embodiment, a single service client
accesses a single service group. In a further embodiment, a single
service client accesses multiple service groups. In an embodiment,
the individual service clients are configured to send a
registration request for a particular service group to the
controller interface module 214. In such an example, the service
client will receive a handle which can be used for requesting a set
of functions from the service group. In a further embodiment, the
service client is configured to request access to services by
providing the received handle and a identifier that is unique to
the service group. In an embodiment, the controller interface
module 214 is configured to maintain a mapping between the handles
and the service groups.
[0025] In an embodiment, service groups may be divided into three
categories, core, extended and custom. Core service groups are
those service groups that are required by the controller interface
module 214. Extended service groups are optional in the controller
interface module 214. Custom service groups are specific to a
particular implementation of the controller interface module 214.
In an embodiment, the controller interface module 214 is configured
to provide a common abstraction layer between an applications
subsystem 210 and a communications subsystem 212 and implementation
of service groups outside of the core service groups may result in
some incompatibilities between application subsystems 210 and
communication subsystems 212. Core service groups may include,
without limitation: Call Control related group service group;
Mobility Management related service group; and Device related
service group. Extended service groups may include, without
limitation: Supplementary Services related service group; Phonebook
related service group; SIM Access related service group; Message
Service related service group; Packet Switched related service
group; High Speed CSD related service group; Data related service
group; Debug related service group; AT Parser Interface service
group; Position Location; and Operations, Administration and
Maintenance (OA&M) related service group. In a further
embodiment, the controller interface module 214 is configured to
respond to a query by either the applications subsystem 210 or the
communications subsystem 212 requesting which extended service
groups are supported by the controller interface module 214.
[0026] Though depicted and described as separate and distinct
functional elements in FIG. 2, it is to be understood that all
elements may be combined into a single element without departing
from the scope of the embodiments described herein.
[0027] In an embodiment of the wireless client device 110, the
communications subsystem 212 is operably coupled to the antenna
216. The antenna 216 may include one or more of a patch,
omni-directional, beam, monopole, dipole, and rhombic antenna,
among others.
[0028] FIG. 2B is a more specific block diagram of a system, such
as that depicted in FIG. 2A, according to embodiments of the
present invention. FIG. 2B is an example implementation of a
wireless client device 110 described with respect to FIG. 2A. In an
embodiment, the applications subsystem 210 of the wireless client
device 110 comprises an FFOS+MMI+Applications Module 230 and a PS
Radio Abstraction Layer Module 232. In one embodiment, the
FFOS+MMI+Applications Module 230 is configured to execute a
full-featured operating system (FFOS), a multi-media interface
(MMI) and user applications. In an embodiment, the PS Radio
Abstraction Layer Module 232 is configured to abstract the
operations of the protocol software from the operations of the
FFOS+MMI+Applications Module 230. In an alternate embodiment, the
PS Radio Abstraction Layer Module 232 is configured to abstract the
operations of the communications subsystem 212 from the operations
of the FFOS+MMI+Applications Module 230. In an embodiment, the
communications subsystem 212 comprises a PS Interface Layer Module
234 and a Protocol Software Module 236. The communications
subsystem further comprises a Cellular Controller Interface (CCI)
Abstraction Layer Module 238. In an embodiment, the CCI Abstraction
Layer Module 238 is one example implementation of a controller
interface module 214 as described above with respect to FIG.
2A.
[0029] In an embodiment, the CCI Abstraction Layer Module is
communicatively and separately coupled to the PS Radio Abstraction
Layer Module 232 and the PS Interface Layer Module 234. The CCI
Abstraction Layer Module 238 is configured to receive signals from
the PS Radio Abstraction Layer Module 232 of the applications
subsystem 210 and convert the signals into signals executable by
the PS Interface Layer Module 234 of the communications subsystem
212. In an embodiment, the CCI Abstraction Layer 238 is embodied in
the communications subsystem 212. As discussed above with respect
to the controller interface module 214, of which the CCI
Abstraction Layer Module 238 is one example implementation, the CCI
Abstraction Layer Module 238 may be separate from the
communications subsystem 212.
[0030] In an embodiment, the CCI Abstraction Layer Module 238
provides compatibility across multiple application subsystems and
communication subsystems. The CCI Abstraction Layer Module 238 is
independent of the runtime environment and is configured to
interoperate with multiple disparate PS Interface Layer Modules
234. In an embodiment, the CCI Abstraction Layer Module 238 is
independent of the application development environment as well as
the wireless protocol stack implementation.
[0031] FIG. 3A is a flowchart of a method that could be carried out
on a device, such as the device depicted in FIG. 2A, according to
embodiments of the present invention. At block 310, a service
request is received by a controller interface module 214. At block
320, the received service request is translated into a form
executable by an interface module 222, where such translation is
performed by the controller interface module 214. The translated
service request is sent to the interface module 222 of the
communications subsystem at block 330. The translated service
request is executed by the interface module 222. In an embodiment
the service requests are received by the controller interface
module 214 concurrently. In another embodiment, the translated
service requests are sent concurrently to the interface module
222.
[0032] Though the term translated or translation is used, this is
not meant to be limiting in any way. Translated in the context of
the present application is meant to encompass any operation of
receiving one set of program instructions from one module and
manipulating those instructions in some manner to make those
instructions executable by some other software module. In the
present discussion, this allows for an abstraction of software
modules so that the application subsystem 210 need only be
programmed to interact with the controller interface module 214 and
the communications subsystem 212 need only be programmed to
interact with the controller interface module 214. In the absence
of a controller interface module 214, as described herein, the
application subsystem 210 would need to be programmed for every
communications subsystem 212 that could be coupled to it. This
increases manufacturing and programming complexity.
[0033] FIG. 3B is a flowchart of a method that could be carried out
on a device, such as the device depicted in FIG. 2A, according to
embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3B is similar to FIG. 3A
with the addition of operations for the handling of the
confirmation of the service request. At block 340, the service
confirmation is received by the controller interface module 214
from the interface module 222. In an embodiment, a plurality of
service confirmations are received concurrently by the controller
interface module 214 at block 340. At block 350, the service
confirmation is translated into a form executable by the
abstraction module 220 of the applications subsystem 210. The
translated service confirmation is sent to the abstraction module
220 at block 360, where further operations can be performed, such
as operations by the FFOS+MMI+Applications Module 230. In an
embodiment, a plurality of translated service confirmations are
sent concurrently to the abstraction module 220 at block 360.
[0034] FIG. 4A is a flowchart of a method that could be carried out
on a device, such as the device depicted in FIG. 2A, according to
embodiments of the present invention. At block 410, a service
indication is received by the controller interface module 214 from
the communications subsystem 212, and more particularly from the
interface module 222 of the communications subsystem 212. As
discussed above, a service indication is used by the communications
subsystem 212 to report unsolicited events or information to the
applications subsystem 212. These may include, without limitation,
an indication of availability of service network, an incoming SMS
message and the like. Operations on signals received by the
communications subsystem 212 in response to requests made by the
applications subsystem 210 are discussed above with respect to FIG.
3B. At block 420, the service indication is translated by the
controller interface module 214 into a form executable by the
applications subsystem 210. At block 430, that translated service
indication is sent to the abstraction module 220 of the
applications subsystem.
[0035] In an embodiment, at block 420 a service indication is
translated by the controller interface module 214 into a plurality
of service indications, at least one of which is in a form
executable by the applications subsystem 210. Such operations may
be required, for example, if the received service indication is one
of network unavailability. Multiple service groups may require
notification of such a condition and translating the single service
indication into a plurality of service indications for each service
client would be very advantageous.
[0036] FIG. 4B is a flowchart of a method that could be carried out
on a device, such as the device depicted in FIG. 2A, according to
embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4B is similar to FIG. 4A
with the addition of operations in response to the service
indication. At block 440, a service response is received by the
controller interface module 214 from the applications subsystem
210, and more particularly, by the abstraction module 220 of the
applications subsystem 210. The service response is translated at
block 450 by the controller interface module 214 into a form
executable by the communications subsystem 212, and more
particularly, by the interface module 222 of the communications
subsystem 212. At block 460 the controller interface module 214
sends the translated service response to the communications
subsystem 212, and more particularly, to the interface module 222
of the communications subsystem 212.
[0037] FIG. 5A is a dataflow diagram showing one example of
dataflow in a device, such as the device depicted in FIG. 2B,
according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5A depicts
exemplary dataflow in a wireless client device 110 such as
described in FIG. 2B and carrying out the methods depicted in FIG.
3A and FIG. 3B. In the example of FIG. 5A, a user application
requires some network resources, such as email or to initiate a
phone call. The FFOS+MMI+Applications Module 230 sends the
requirement 502 to the PS Radio Abstraction Layer Module 232. The
PS Radio Abstraction Layer Module 232 formats the requirement as a
service request and sends the service request 504 to the CCI
Abstraction Layer Module 238 of the communications subsystem 212.
The CCI Abstraction Layer Module 238 translates the service request
into a form executable by the communications subsystem 212, and
more particularly, the PS Interface Layer Module 234. The CCI
Abstraction Layer Module 238 sends the translated service request
506 to the PS Interface Layer Module 234. The PS Interface Layer
Module 234 executes the request and sends an appropriate command to
the Protocol Software Module 236 which utilizes a suitable
communications protocol to transmit the request 510 to the
communications network accessible through the antenna 216.
[0038] In this example, the request will generate some reply from
the communications network. This may be in the form of web content
or a completed phone connection. The response is received by the
antenna 216, which is then sent as a signal 512 to the Protocol
Software Module 236. The Protocol Software Module 236 sends a
signal containing the response 514 to the PS Interface Layer Module
234, which then formats a service confirmation and sends the
service confirmation 516 to the CCI Abstraction Layer Module 238.
The CCI Abstraction Layer Module 238 translates the service
confirmation into a form executable by the applications subsystem
210, and more particularly, the PS Radio Abstraction Layer Module
232 of the Applications Subsystem 210. The CCI Abstraction Layer
Module 238 sends the translated service confirmation 518 to the PS
Radio Abstraction Layer 232 which then executes the service
confirmation and sends a signal to the FFOS+MMI+Applications Module
230. In an embodiment, this causes the FFOS+MMI+Applications Module
230 to perform operations responsive to the service confirmation,
such as displaying the web content.
[0039] Though depicted as being initiated by the Applications
Subsystem 210, there may be instances where a network communication
institutes some operations on the Applications Subsystem 210. An
example of such operation is an incoming phone call. Such an
operation would cause dataflow to be the reverse of that depicted
in FIG. 5A and described above. In an embodiment, operations in the
reverse of that depicted in FIG. 5A proceed similarly to those
described above and the depiction of only the initiation of network
resources by the applications subsystem 210 is not meant to be
limiting in any manner.
[0040] FIG. 5B is a dataflow diagram showing one example of
dataflow in a device, such as the device depicted in FIG. 2B,
according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5B depicts
dataflow in a wireless client device such as that described in FIG.
2A and carrying out the methods depicted in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. In
the example of FIG. 5B, an unsolicited event, unsolicited
information, or a network signal, is received from the
communications network. The network signal 550 is sent to Protocol
Software Module 236, which sends the signal 552 to the PS Interface
Layer Module 234. The PS Interface Layer Module 234 formats the
signal as a service indication and sends the service indication 554
to the CCI Abstraction Layer Module 238. In one example, this is
the end of operations, such as a network ready indication. The CCI
Abstraction Layer 238 can handle any interdepencies directly,
without impacting the Application Subsystem 210 directly. In
another example, the CCI Abstraction Layer 238 responds with a
service response 556, which is then executed by the PS Interface
Layer Module 558, received as a signal 558 by the Protocol Software
Module 236 and sent as a network communications 560 through the
antenna 216. In some instances, the CCI Abstraction Layer 238 in
the above example may send a signal to the PS Radio Abstraction
Layer Module 232, notifying the Applications Subsystem 210 of some
current condition.
[0041] The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, show by
way of illustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in
which the subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments
illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those
skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein.
Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that
structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made
without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
[0042] Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated
and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement
calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the
specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover
any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments of the
invention. Combinations of the above embodiments and other
embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to
those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.
[0043] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37
C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the
reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure.
It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to
interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
Additionally, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen
that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment
for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of
disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that
the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than
are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following
claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all
features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following
claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with
each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment.
In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are
used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms
"comprising" and "wherein," respectively. Moreover, the terms
"first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and
are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their
objects.
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